AFC WIMBLEDON 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic twice battled from behind to snatch a draw at AFC Wimbledon and another precious point in their battle for Sky Bet League One survival.
A double from striker Duckens Nazon helped Latics extend their unbeaten run to six games.
But five successive draws equates to 10 squandered points which is more than three losses in that period.
Latics remain fifth bottom, though they were in the relegation places for much of the afternoon until Rochdale conceded a last-gasp equaliser at home to Bradford City.
It was a bold attacking line up for Latics as manager Richie Wellens went with forwards Nazon and Tope Obadeyi on the wings with Eoin Doyle and Craig Davies up top as Jack Byrne and Ben Pringle dropped to the bench.
Davies had the first chance of the game when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box and he fired at goal, but George Long saved.
From the following counter attack, Wimbledon took the lead. A corner into the box was not dealt with and Jonathan Meades converted from close range.
It was almost two one minute later as Andy Barcham had a sight of goal but Tom Hamer’s last-ditch defending took the ball away from the forward.
Lyle Taylor had an effort saved minutes later as Latics needed a response to the early setback.
Latics felt they should have been awarded a penalty midway through the half as a cross from Dan Gardner found Davies who looked to be bundled to the floor but the referee waved away the appeal.
Latics almost equalised on the half hour as Gardner’s low corner found the onrushing Anthony Gerrard but his toe poke trickled across the line and nobody was able to apply the finishing touch.
Obadeyi had two chances soon after but neither tested Long.
Wellens introduced Byrne for Obadeyi at the break and he made an immediate impact as Latics looked rejuvenated.
And they were to get the equaliser after 50 minutes which came through Nazon. Hamer’s long throw caused problems in the Wimbledon box and the ball broke for Nazon who fired home from 12 yards.
All the momentum was with Wellens’ men and it looked like Latics would be the ones who would score next, however, completely against the run of play, AFC Wimbledon were back ahead.
Meades did well on the left to win the ball ahead of two Latics’ players and he rolled the ball back to Joe Pigott who converted into an empty goal.
Latics did not let that goal affect them as they equalised five minutes later through Nazon.
Doyle set up the Haitian striker on the edge of the box and he found the bottom corner from 18 yards to level for a second time in the game.
Again it was Latics who looked the more threatening and likely to grab the winner. Doyle won the ball on the left, crossed into the box but it was just behind Nazon who was looking to complete his hat trick.
Anthony Gerrard was forced off through a recurrence of a calf problem and was replaced by Brian Wilson as Latics continued to attack.
Deep into the game Latics thought they had grabbed the winning goal. Wilson’s cross found substitute Aaron Amadi-Holloway who headed across the box but Nazon’s effort from inside the box deflected wide.
Into four minutes of additional time, Wilson was forced to clear off the line, however, Latics could have won it in the final minute of the game.
Nazon found Amdai-Holloway but he elected to cross for Doyle rather than take the chance himself but his cross went beyond the striker.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Hamer, Gerrard (Wilson 78), Edmundson, Hunt; Obadeyi (Byrne 46), Fane, Gardner, Nazon; Davies (Amadi-Holloway 62), Doyle. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Nepomuceno, Pringle, Benteke.
Goals: Meades (10), Pigott (68) for Wimbledon. 2-2. Nazon (50, 74) for Oldham.
Attendance: 4,850 (476 visitors).